L+M executive named head of Newport Hospital

New London — Crista Durand, vice president of strategic planning, marketing and business development at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital since 2009, has been named president of Newport Hospital in Rhode Island.

When she begins her new job on Aug. 1, Durand will become the second senior executive to leave L+M in the last six months. Chief Financial Officer Lou Inzana left for Maine Medical Center in February.

Jim Moylan, retired vice president and CFO of Griffin Hospital in Derby, is serving as L+M’s interim CFO until a replacement is chosen for Inzana, hospital spokesman Mike O’Farrell said Wednesday.

During her time at L+M, Durand had a leading role in several major projects, including the creation of the Sleep Center in Groton, the Stonington Medical Center, the Westerly Hospital acquisition, the medical office building on Howard Street and the Cancer Center in Waterford, among others, O’Farrell said.

“She’s been an important part of many of our recent key initiatives,” he said. “It’s no surprise she would be attractive to any organization.”

The hospital has not yet decided how it will proceed with a replacement for Durand, he said. In a memo to staff last month, L+M President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Cummings said senior management is reviewing recommendations made by a consulting firm that recently completed an assessment of all L+M operations. The memo indicated there could be staff reductions through attrition and possibly layoffs.

“Everything is being assessed,” O’Farrell said.

Newport Hospital is part of Lifespan, Rhode Island’s largest health system. In a news release, Lifespan said Durand was selected following a national search that spanned six months and included applicants from around the country.

“Crista’s leadership skills and proven track record of developing and growing new lines of business in a challenging health care environment made her an obvious choice to be the new president of Newport Hospital,” said Dr. Timothy Babineau, president and chief executive officer of Lifespan. “Even more important is her passionate commitment to community hospitals and her strong belief that community hospitals can thrive within a broader system framework.”

Before coming to L+M, Durand was the chief financial officer at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.